The Airship to Beacon Academy had just docked. I walked out and stared up at the large building that I would have to call home for the next four years. I had began walking again when a guy with short brown hair and armor all over him ran into me.

"Get out of the way jackass!" He said running off.

"Let's see two minutes and I've already been called an ass." I said smiling. "New record."

I was wearing my usual attire. Black shoes and pants. White button up shirt with a black tie. Black suit jacket. My brown overcoat, white leather gloves, sunglasses and a brown wide brimmed fedora. I was about to start walking again when a guy with blond hair ran past me and right for a trash can to puke in.

"So many colorful people. Although I hope those two aren't on my team." I said walking towards the building. Walking towards the amphitheater I observed the students along the way. I heard an explosion a bit off in the distance. I decided to investigate a bit. Not because I was concerned. I was more curious as to what happened. I saw a girl in white yelling at another girl in red and black. I thought about intervening at least to see if there was a good reason for the yelling. However another girl in black with a bow on her head attempting to hide her ears stepped in between them. She seemed to have things under control so I decided to head off towards the school again.

I arrived at the amphitheater and hid off to the side observing the other new arrivals. I knew I would have to partner with at least three of them so I had looked around to see how much potential there was to work with. I saw the headmaster walking out towards the microphone.

"I'll... keep this brief. You have traveled here today in search of knowledge, to hone your craft and acquire new skills, and when you have finished, you plan to dedicate your life to the protection of the people. But I look amongst you, and all I see is wasted energy, in need of purpose, direction. You assume knowledge will free you of this, but your time at this school will prove that knowledge can only carry you so far. It is up to you to take the first step." Ozpin said walking away. Professor Goodwitch walked up after him.

"You will gather in the ballroom tonight. Tomorrow your initiation begins. Be ready. You are dismissed." She said before walking away.

'He seemed a bit distracted and she seems like a wonderful ray of sunshine. I almost forgot we had to go though initiation as well. At least it'll weed out the weaklings.' I thought as I walked towards the ballroom.

"So you seem like a friendly person." Came a voice from behind me. I turned to see a guy in a flannel jacket, black shirt and jeans.

"Not sure what gave off that impression. Dark clothes, keeping off to the side in the shadows. Most people would put that as the exact opposite." I said continuing to walk towards the ballroom.

"Well that's what happens when you judge a book by its cover. Guy like you must hold some mystery to him. Should make for an interesting year." He said.

"Well hate to burst your bubble Mr. flannel guy, but you judged a book by its cover anyway. Nothing special about me just liked the look and an introvert normally." I said

"Oh shoot. I apologize I try not to do that. Name's Vester Owens." He said holing his hand out towards me.

"Artemis Finch." I said shaking his hand.

"Well if you don't mind I got a couple friends already if ya wanna meet them. Were thinking of forming our team and we need another person. If your interested that is." He said.

I gave a small sigh. "Listen I'm sure you and your friends are great. I don't want to discourage you but we don't even know how teams will be formed yet. If we try to plan ahead and premake a team and then get split apart there is no point to all the work. I appreciate the offer but I have to respectfully decline for now perhaps after the initiation and team sorting." I said.

"No problem your right. I'm gonna go catch up with them though. If you happen to change your mind don't hesitate to find me." He said before walking off.

'Not likely.' I thought to myself. He seems like a nice guy but maybe a little too nice. After arriving in the ballroom I ran into the guy with the brown hair from earlier again. Well more like he ran into me again. He was showing off to a couple other guys and ended up punching me as I was walking by. I like to assume it was on accident only because I didn't want to get kicked out before initiation.

"Oh you again. Didn't you learn to stay out of my way after this morning?" He said.

"You mean make sure I'm out of your path since you clearly don't pay attention ever." I said

"The hell did you just say?" He asked.

"Oh I'm sorry I called you a blind dumbass." I said.

"Dude you don't know who your fucking with." He said getting closer to me.

"I could say the same thing to you. Clearly you weren't paying attention and assaulted me twice in one day. For all you know I could be your new teammate or your worst nightmare." I said

"Is that a threat?" He asked.

"Okay I can see I need to speak slower for you. No threat. Not yet. Maybe in week. Then I can kick your ass." I said smiling

"Alright jackass." He said getting ready to punch me. One of the other guys held him back.

"Cardin he's not worth getting kicked out on the first day." Another guy behind him said. Cardin lowered his fist.

"Fine but after initiation. I'm gonna kick your ass." Cardin said.

"I look forward to your attempt. For now I bid you farewell. Oh sorry. Good luck. I go bye bye now." I said walking away.

I found a spot on the opposite side of the room and decided to get some sleep. The next morning we all headed out to Beacon Cliff. Professors Goodwitch and Ozpin Told us that we would be assigned to teams today and that the first person we met up with in the forest was who we were to be partnered with. We then had to make it to the northern end of the forest to retrieve some artifact. Puke boy from yesterday started asking questions but before I could hear the answers I got launched.

I pulled the handle of my weapon out of my pocket and extended it into it's cane form. I hooked a branch on the way down and was able to stabilize myself in one of the trees. Below me was a small pack of four beowolves. I fired a mini grenade towards them to scatter them away so I could land. I pulled the handle of my cane to reveal the hidden blade. I jumped down and impaled on of the grimm through the head. Two of the remaining beowolves lunged at me. I kicked one away and stabbed the other through the mouth. I sheathed my blade and fired at the remaining grimm finishing them off.

I started heading north and I could make out a lone dark silhouette. Apparently it noticed me too as we both advanced towards each other. The closer I got I could make out features.

"Shit" I said as we came face to face.

"Great of all the people here I got stuck with you." Cardin said.

"Look jerk I'm not happy about this either. How about we just pretend this horrible meeting never happened and look for someone else." I said.

"Perfect." He said walking away.

"So I'm guessing this means your stuck with me instead." Said a voice behind me.

"Seriously dude are you like following me or something?" I asked seeing Vester behind me.

"N-no I just happened to see someone and then found you and that guy fighting." He said.

'Well at least its not Cardin' I thought to myself. "Alright I guess were partners."

We wandered further into the forest. He talked a lot on the way. Just as I was getting ready to say something we found the artifacts. Not may of them had been taken yet though it seemed. We grabbed a black rook and started heading back. On the way back we ran into a deathstalker.

Vester revealed his weapon to be a large battle axe. I distracted it by firing at it from the trees. Vester ran towards it and jumped high in the air. When he landed he severed one of the deathstalker's claws off. Unfortunately it recovered faster than he did. It grabbed him with it's other claw. I jumped from the tree line to strike it before it could do anything. I managed to pry him from the claw, but when I turned for a follow up attack. It had stabbed Vester in the head with it's tail. Killing him instantly. I fired at its tail blowing it off. I jumped and fired at its face in order to get it away from Vester's body. I lured it away enough to be able to get over and grab Vester's axe. I jumped and fired at the deathstalker to distract it and swung the axe down. Slicing off the final claw. I dropped the axe and jammed my blade into it's eye finishing it off. I walked over to Vester's motionless body and knelt down.

"Shit. I'm sorry it ended this way. You may have been a little annoying but had a good heart. You didn't deserve this." I said readjusting his body. I placed his hands on his chest and closed his eyes. I walked back to the school with the artifact in one hand and his axe in the other. I arrived at the cliff and hnded the artifact to Ozpin.

"Here you are sir. Did you happen to see what happened?" I asked.

"Yes. I'm sorry about your friend. However as you know that is always a possibility." Ozpin said.

"How does this affect my team situation?" I asked.

"You will be paired with the first person you met in the forest." He said.

"Sir not to be rude but that isn't really possible." I said

"Not Mr. Owens." He said.

Shit.

(Skip to Team Naming Ceremony)

"Russel Thrush. Cardin Winchester. Dove Bronzewing. Sky Lark. The four of you retrieved the black bishop pieces. Artemis Finch your partner unfortunately passed away during the initiation. Therefore you shall be added to these men, and from this day forward, you will work together as Team CARDL, led by... Cardin Winchester!" Ozpin said to us.

'Shit' I though while the amphitheater applauded us.

After all the teams were announced we headed to our room. Cardin immediately shoved me against the wall.

"Look jackass I don't give a shit if your partner died. I don't give a shit about you. As long as I'm your leader you will listen to what I say is that understood." He said

"Sure for now." I said

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" He asked.

I punched him in the stomach knocking him to his knees. "It means for now I am your teammate. Don't piss me off too bad and you get to pretend to boss me around." I kicked him in the face knocking him on his back. I slammed my hand on his neck pinning him to the ground. "In simple terms you can understand. Don't Fuck with me." I released him and set my stuff on my bed. "Russel, Sky, Dove. For now I have no issues with you I hope we can work together well and you wont end up like our wonderful leader." I walked back to Cardin and offered a hand up. "Cardin, I will be a loyal teammate. We started off on a bad note I say we start over tomorrow on a positive one." He was reluctant at first but he took my hand and I helped him to his feet.

Over the next few weeks it took a few hard learned lessons but Cardin learned not to try to bully me. Regardless of being on the same team he thought he would be able to push me around and bully me like the blond haired guy I saw on my first day. I later learned his name was Jaune. I couldn't understand why my team thought they needed to be assholes to everyone but it was giving us a bad reputation. Giving ME a bad reputation just by being on the same team with them. They stopped bothering me so I decided to let it go for now and try to figure out if there was a way out of this. One day after classes I went to Professor Ozpin's office.

"Excuse me Professor Ozpin could talk to you about something?" I asked.

"Of Course Mr. Finch. What seems to be bothering you." He asked.

"I don't mean to question your judgment. However I feel like being on this team is a mistake. With your permission I would like to be moved to another team. Or perhaps a transfer." I said.

"Mr. Finch may I ask why you feel this way?" He asked.

"Well sir our team is getting a bad reputation as racists and bullies. Our leader in particular. I refuse to indulge in the activities of my teammates however I am still being grouped with them. Getting a bad reputation by not doing anything. I feel that being put on another team will give me the chance to change how people view me." I said.

"I am sorry to hear this. However. I have made more mistakes than any man, woman or child on this planet. I do feel like your placement on team CARDL. Though tragic the reason. Was not a mistake. If you feel your getting a bad reputation then you are the only one who can change it. If your reputation is as bad as you say then no team would want to accept you as a member anyway." He said.

"Sir with all due respect four to one is not good odds to change my reputation. I could work at it but the other four will just bring it down more." I said

"I'm sorry Mr. Finch but you have only two options. You can try and change things for the better. Or you will have to leave Beacon Academy." He said standing up and walking towards me. "If I were you I would take an extra day or two to think your options over. Your skills are impeccable young man. I'd hate to see so much talent go to waist."

I sat there for a bit thinking over what he had said. "Alright professor. I'll think it over a little more. Maybe I'm overreacting a bit. Thanks for the talk." I shook his hand and headed out the door.

It was starting to get a little late so I headed for the cafeteria. When I got there I was my team sitting my a female faunus with bunny ears. She looked really uncomfortable. The closer I got the more they started harassing her. When he pulled her ears I got pissed.

"See I told you they were real." Cardin said laughing.

I grabbed Cardin by the back of the neck making him let go of her. I walked her away from them.

"Are you okay?" I asked her kindly.

"Y-yeah I think." She said.

I was about to respond when Cardin locked me in a choke hold.

"What the fuck is wrong with you?" he asked

I elbowed him in the stomach repeatedly until he released me. "This is the last straw Cardin! I sat by watching you bully student after student. You are giving our team a bad name. Giving ME a bad name. I don't care if I get kicked out. You are the worst leader ever. You are supposed to inspire us to be better. All you've done is corrupt the rest of our team into being jerks."

I pulled off my gloves and exposed my claws. I grabbed Cardin by the neck and pinned him to the ground again. I was about to slash at him when I felt two sets of arms grabbing me and pulling me back. I turned to see the bunny faunus and Jaune stopping me. I released Cardin and stood back up retracting my claws. "You may be my leader but we both know I'm stronger than you. If I ever see you bullying someone again. No one will stop me from hurting you."

"Thanks Jaune. I know that probably wasn't an easy thing to do stopping me." I said.

"No it wasn't. After all he's put me though I wanted to let you. But I knew it wouldn't have been right. If it was I'd have let Nora break his legs. I'll be fine you should go check on Velvet." He said. I pointed to the bunny faunus and he nodded his head. I walked over to Velvet and walked her away from the scene.

"Are you okay? I'm really sorry you had to see that. I'm grateful you stopped me though." I said

"I-I'm fine a little shaken up but okay. Thank you for helping me out though. I'm Velvet by the way." She said.

"Artemis. If he ever bullies you again please let me know. If your scared of me after that I don't blame you." I said.

"Y-yeah it was kinda scary to watch. Part of me wishes I'd have let you do it though." She said.

"I know. For whatever it's worth thank you for stopping me. I'm sorry for scaring you." I said walking away.

She caught up to me and stopped me. She put her arms around me and hugged me. "Thank you Artemis." She then ran off out of the cafeteria.

I grabbed my dinner and took it back to my room. Along the way back I had a few people say they were sorry for misjudging me. Some seemed to be more afraid of me now. Well Ozpin was right about one thing. I defiantly changed my own reputation.